Thursday, January 29, 2015

Whenever I rewatch Love Actually, which is pretty much every year at Christmastime, I'm always amazed at how well Richard Curtis' romantic comedy holds up. The movie from 2003 with its interweaving storylines and characters is equally sweet, funny and heartfelt (who can forget the scene where Emma Thompson's finds out her husband is cheating on her), and boasts a bevy of wonderful British actors at their best, like Bill Nighy as the devilish aging rockstar rogue, 'Billy Mack'.

Original Love Actually movie costumes on display

On my most recent visit to the NBC Universal Experience archive attraction at Universal Studios Hollywood in L.A. on January 20, 2015 they had two original costume from the film on display, including one of Bill Nighy's 'Billy Mack' suits and one of the festive vixen outfits from his faux music video.

Love Actually movie poster

In the movie Bill Nighy plays the has-been rocker who re-records one of his old bestselling hits as a Christmas song by changing a few words, in an attempt to cash in on holiday season nostalgia. He wears this particular blue suit and garish stripped shirt when being interviewed on Michael Parkinson's chat show.

Original costume worn by Bill Nighy as Billy Mack in Love Actually

Billy Mack's music video in Love Actually is an homage to Robert Palmer's iconic 80's video, Addicted to Love, which memorably featured leggy models seductively playing their instruments and provocatively licking their lips. In this film version the music video is parodied even further, with the gorgeous models even more suggestive and dressed as Santa's helpers to make things more festive.

Many others have tried to emulate the interlocking narrative of Love Actually, films like Valentine's Day and New Year's Eve come to mind, but none have truly recaptured the ease and magical chemistry of this movie.

For me, seeing these costumes was the highlight of the ever-changing costume and prop exhibit and I hope they have more memorabilia from Love Actually on display in the future.